In many workplaces, facility dogs are making a positive impact by providing employees with safety, emotional support, and companionship. Employers should prioritize establishing clear policies and procedures for handling potentially aggressive or dangerous dogs and have a plan to address hazardous situations promptly and effectively. It is essential to provide immediate medical attention to an employee bitten by a dog, document the incident, and conduct a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the bite and prevent future incidents. Employers should also consider offering support and counseling to employees who have been bitten, as the experience can be traumatic.
Managers should review and implement the following safety guidelines:
- Ensure employees receive adequate training and follow protocols for handling and interacting with dogs. They should understand how to read a dog’s body language, detect signs of aggression or fear, establish trust, and build positive relationships with the dog.
- Provide a secure enclosure for the facility dog to rest and relax. This enclosure should be quiet and away from heavy machinery and equipment.
- Ensure the workplace is maintained and secure to prevent the dogs from escaping or entering areas where they are not permitted. This may involve installing secure fencing or gates, enforcing leash laws, and regularly inspecting the premises for potential hazards.
- Ensure the dog is supervised by its handler when out of its enclosure. The handler ensures the dog behaves appropriately and employees follow safety guidelines when interacting with it.
- Monitor interactions between dogs and employees to ensure their safety. If a dog displays signs of aggression or fear, employees should be instructed to remove themselves from the situation and notify their supervisor.
- Avoid startling the dog and keep your eyes on it to monitor its behavior. Pay close attention to its body language. Some signs of aggression are growling, barking, stiffness, baring teeth, yawning and pulling back the head and ears. Talk to the dog in a friendly manner, do not pet or feed it, and never run away from it.
- If an employee is bitten or attacked by the facility dog, it is essential to report the incident to management immediately. The employee should seek medical attention, and the dog should be removed from the workplace until the incident can be appropriately investigated.
By following these safety guidelines, managers can ensure that employees are protected from potential dog bites while still benefiting from the presence of a facility dog.
As always, stay safe out there!
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